In the coming series of articles
surrounding computer based music playback, a certain level of computer
literacy is expected and required—if you don't know how to download
pictures from your digital camera, chances are you will be helplessly
tied to many painful phone calls to various help desks when attempting
to configure and / or use any of the described devices.

The mp3 file format has done more to advance
mainstream music playback then perhaps any other format previously—sure,
there's probably a billion vinyl records out there, but for the most
part those are dormant and only listened to by a few people who either
consider themselves audiophiles or nostalgic old school lovers. Mp3s
however are being consumed in ever growing masses—Apple's ever more
amazing iPod continues to fly in the face of all nay-sayers and
continues to sell, sell and sell more. There are now approximately 80
million iPods in circulation and iTunes, Apple's music management and
online downloading software, continues to wow users with its simplicity
and ease of use. "It just works man! " The following review is but a
teaser designed to whet your appetite as I explore the music server
phenomenon over the next months.

As the iPod has proliferated the use of
music files instead of the "hard" copy of generations gone by, so has
the access to those music files. Computers (without which mp3's would
not have succeeded) are now becoming more and more popular in replacing
your old music "system" or "stereo" and with good reason: easy access to
all your media content at the drop of a hat. No more getting up to
search for your favorite disc; no more getting up to actually play
something—no, you simply flick the remote to your play your favorite
track, tune or playlist and voila, there you are!

I had foreseen this "server" vision years
ago when I kept informing fellow audiophiles that a new dawn was at
hand—indeed, audiophiles are increasingly becoming aware and accustomed
to utilizing some form of computer storage format to playback their
cherished vault of music files. At the rudimentary level, all that is
really needed is a computer, an Ethernet connection (wireless or
hard-wired) and some form of output, be it an SPDIF plug, or line level
RCAs. The benefit of having some form of digital out is of course that
you are free to use any D/A converter of your choosing not having to
limit yourself with the mass-market product and built in DACs.

Enter the Sonos ZP80 music server bundle.
Unlike similar devices, which run on a standard network protocol and are
therefore open to all gremlins that our current networking protocols
suffer from, the clever folks at Sonos designed their system to run on a
proprietary closed network. The benefit here is that setting up your
Sonos system is accomplished literally with your eyes closed and you are
far less prone to network outages and other such silliness. The downside
with the Sonos running on a closed network, is that you end up needing
at least two ZP80 controller/receivers to make the setup work. Another
tremendous benefit of wireless networking is the fact that you can add
many such network players all over your house and consume different
music in different rooms all through one main file server. In addition
to the ZP80 receivers, you also need the actual "controller" or in the
case of Sonos, a beautiful, iPod like remote (ok, so it's a fair bit
larger, but you get my drift) that features as its main raison d'être a
glorious 3.5" diagonal (240x320 QVGA) color LCD display! Along with the
handy display, you have a few strategic access buttons as well as
another cleverly implemented scroll wheel, again, much like the iPod
itself. The controller can be charged continuously via its own
(separately ordered) cradle and docking station, otherwise you charge it
via the accompanied wall-wart power supply.

Along with the Sonos system, which in its
described disguise retails for $999, you also get the proprietary Sonos
system software. In its 2.0 configuration, the system software runs on
Mac's (yay!) or PCs (nay!) and is intuitive, simple, and easy to learn
and master. Overall, I was set up and ready to go within 15-20 minutes—a testament to the great software and fantastic design of the Sonos
system overall. I immediately pointed the Sonos software to my music
file folder; connected the RCA outputs of the ZP80 sitting next to my
preamp to a line level input and was ready to rock it in style (not sure
if my friend Josh Ray ever trademarked these words, as he uses them
often and frequently!)

The Sonos controller in hand, I quickly
browsed through all my hundreds of albums, complete with corresponding
cover art (way cool!) and in no time was able to assemble a playlist to
begin evaluating the sound of these magic semi-cubes (ZP80). On a
personal note I wish to express gratitude to the folks at Sonos for
including such a lovely display with their controller. I am more of a
visual guy, hence being able to sort through hundreds if not thousands
of albums via cover art is more preferable then having to read each
title to select the one I like.

Realizing that even though the system
described here retails for $999, I was not really expecting
audiophile-defying performance. Truth is that with most of these
devices, the DACs used are of mass-market production qualities and hence
one shouldn't expect miracles. Cueing up my fab-five favorite demo
tracks, I began with track 14 on Yello's latest effort, The Eye.
Spacious, lease-breaking bass lines followed by artistic synth
landscaping pretty much defines this Orwellian track. The Sonos ZP80
bundle sounded quite pleasing actually. Musical, spacious inviting:
those are all words I used to describe the sonic characteristics.
Overall, the sound was pleasant and quite listenable—very much unlike
inexpensive digital of just 5-10 years ago. Vocals were reproduced with
authority and good center image specificity (when the recording provided
it of course); take for example Cash's American V album, another
great favorite of mine. Cash's voice, though clearly strained, has a
sense of power and command—the center image heard through the Zu Druids
was absolutely rock solid and unwavering. Sure, I have heard this track
taken a up a few notches in playback performance (notably through my
reference Accustic Arts CD player but then again that retails for
$7.7k), but for "simple" listening or at least until such time that you
can add an outboard high quality DAC, the Sonos system will prove quite
listenable. In the months that I have had the Sonos ZP80 system in my
audio room, not once did I feel the need to replace it with other, often
times much more costly digital gear—it's that good!

Of course, where more expensive CD playback
would yield higher levels of audio nirvana, the Sonos system trumps all
of them by a large margin when it comes to usability, access, and sheer
comfort. Being able to quickly and swiftly change tracks at a moment's
notice is something you get used to very, very quickly. Setting up
various playlists from different artists, genres and performances is
something you will use far more often then you'd expect (once you
become accustomed to it). Therein lies the true benefit of the Sonos
system when taken as a whole. You can have all the benefits of
computerized music access, the visual stimulus afforded by a large 3.5"
remote control mounted viewing screen, and super quality sound if you
take advantage of an outboard, high quality DAC. I had originally
intended to cover this part of the Sonos ZP80 system as well, alas,
unfortunate timing errors and review supply problems with various DAC
manufacturers crept up preventing me from following my hunch.

The digital landscape has changed
dramatically over the last few years—it is only fitting that new upstart
mainstream technology companies are taking charge and leading the market
in various forms and guises. How long will it be before some high-end
audio company beings to license Sonos' excellent approach and system
and applies it with the true "audiophile" in mind? Not long, I think.
Danny Kaey